Tattoo fundraiser supports fight against Lyme Disease

BANGOR - Folks in Bangor got some new ink Wednesday and supported a worthy cause at the same time.

Diversified Ink partnered with Maine Lyme for a fundraiser supporting the fight against Lyme Disease.

Proceeds from the tattoos help the non-profit spread the word about Lyme and support a local boy who is fighting the illness.

More than 75 people signed up to permanently show their commitment to the cause.

"I'm so impressed with the huge turn out and the people that are involved," said Happy Dickey, president of Maine Lyme. "What that says to me is that a lot of people know a lot of people with Lyme Disease."

One of the participants was Britni Gaddis, who got her first tattoo today.

For her, the disease hits close to home.

"Both my aunt and my younger sister have Lyme Disease. They've both been officially diagnosed with it so one, it's a great cause and two, it has meaning for me," said Gaddis. "And I think it'll mean a lot, especially to my aunt, because she struggled with it a lot, so just wanted to do it for them."

Kayla joined the ABC 7 & FOX 22 news team in May of 2017. She got into journalism because she loves talking with people, and she's incredibly grateful to share the stories of Mainers throughout the region.